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01/08/2024 01:04 PMThe Haddam-Killingworth/Valley Regional (H-K/VR) boys’ swimming and diving co-op team took some major strides last winter towards top tier recognition within its league and state competition. This season, the Cougars are looking to ride that wave of momentum towards an even higher tide of prominence, and pushing to the ultimate prize.
Last season, the Cougars claimed the SCC Division II title for the regular season after achieving a 5-3-1 mark (5-0-1 in divisional action) before placing ninth at the SCC Championships with 355 points. Then, at the Class M State Championship, H-K/VR finished just outside the top 10 by coming in 11th with 201 team tallies.
For this campaign, the Cougars are rather a younger-looking group, lacking a single senior on its roster, yet Head Coach Steven Cusano noted that the club still has a fierce and fiery energy within the pool, and between its walls.
“We don’t have any graduating seniors this year, so we hope to send the message that we are still a competitive team despite our size,” said Cusano. “The team's growth is inevitable, with continuity and a strong community.”
Each school is represented by a sole junior captain. H-K’s Jackson Smith is a distance specialist and backstroker when it comes to his predominant events. Meanwhile, over on the Valley Regional end of the water resides Tristan Smith–taking part in the individual medley and showcasing himself as a versatile swimmer.
Regardless of background, each individual has taken the time to not only perfect their craft, but also to divulge a tremendous amount of time towards team building.
“Jackson Smith is a very dedicated and fast learner, and Tristan Smith is one of the most consistent and hardworking swimmers on the team,” Cusano said. “Both are captains and very dedicated swimmers both on and off the deck, taking care of the rest of their teammates, and leading in school, as well.”
Another Valley Regional representative is sophomore Lucca Giordano, a utility swimmer of sorts, whom Cusano concluded is someone to put attention upon as the campaign pushes on.
“Lucca Giordano is a butterfly specialist but a Swiss Army knife for events,” said Cusano. “He is someone who is definitely one to watch.”
H-K/VR additionally has moved up to Division I of the SCC this season, competing alongside Fairfield Prep, Amity, Greater New Haven co-op (consisting of North Haven, East Haven, North Branford, and Guilford), Xavier, Hand, Cheshire, along with Hamden.
Cusano and the Cougars started off the new year of 2024 on the right foot with a pivotal road win, edging out West Haven 82-81 on Jan. 2. H-K/VR has another big night under the lights with a home finale to the dual-meet season against Cheshire.
“We have two key matchups,” said Cusano. “The first one was Jan. 2 against West Haven, which we won 82 to 81. The second is our Senior Night against Cheshire. Those are the best matchups for us based on roster size and ability.”
As is naturally the case with a high school swimming regular season, the name of the game is stacking the deck with as much representation in as many events as possible for postseason championship heats, at the conference and state tiers.
“Individually, we are trying to get our club of year-round athletes to qualify for as many different state events as possible,” said Cusano.
The Cougars are working diligently day in and day out to try and get 100% participation for the postseason. Yet, as is often the true core of any team, their personal objectives are to have each athlete show marked improvement and enjoyment of the sport, as well as each other.
“A team goal would be to qualify the entire team for conferences,” said Cusano. “We also hope to grow the team and work on individual techniques.”
The Haddam-Killingworth/Valley Regional 2023-2024 roster is comprised of H-K juniors Tyler Anderson, Riley Schipritt, Maxwell Selmer, and Jackson Smith, plus Tristan Smith (from Valley Regional); Valley sophomore Giordano; plus H-K freshmen Clark Dallas and Aedan Tenbrunsel.
Cusano is back to the water for his fourth campaign as the head coach of the Cougars. Kate Mayer is also returning as his assistant coach, now in her sixth season with the program.
H-K/VR Boys’ Swimming and Diving Co-Op 2023-2024 Regular Season Schedule
Wednesday, Dec. 20: at Shelton at 4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 28: vs. Fairfield Prep at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 2: at West Haven at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 16: vs. Xavier at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 23: at Amity at Orange Community Center Pool at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 30: vs. Hamden at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 6: at Hand-Branford-Old Saybrook at Surf Club at 4 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9: vs. Cheshire at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: at Greater New Haven at Walter Gawrych Community Pool at 4 p.m.